Identity Documents

If you haven’t already, we recommend you change your gender on your passport at the same time you change your name. Click here for instructions on changing your gender marker on your passport.

If you are applying for a passport for the first time, regardless of your age, you must apply in person at any acceptance facility. Click here to find the facility nearest you. What documents will you need?

1) Completed Form DS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport. Note that within this form, you must reveal any legal name change and attach the certified court order changing your name.
2) Evidence of U.S. citizenship (such as your birth certificate)
3) A valid ID and photocopy of that ID. Note that the photocopy must be on a standard 8 ½ x 11” paper, showing the front and back of the ID, and be free from any other images and/or markings. The photocopy must be on only one side of the paper, and you may not decrease the size of the image.
4) Two color passport photos (2” x 2”) reflecting your current appearance
5) Any applicable fees. . Click here to see a fee schedule.

All Minor applicants, including renewals, must also apply in person at a passport facility. Click here to find the facility nearest you. What documents will you need?

If you are 18 or older and you already have a passport, but your name has legally changed via a court ordered change of name, you will need to apply for a new passport. The process and cost depend on how long it has been since your passport was issued. Click here for more information.

Gender Changes

The Passport Agency does not require surgery relating to your gender transition in order to change your gender on your passport. To obtain a new passport with the standard 10-year validity, the Passport Agency only requires “medical certification of gender transition” from a licensed doctor who has treated you or reviewed and evaluated your medical history and with whom you have doctor/patient relationship. The Passport Agency offers no guidance as to what qualifies as “gender transition,” leaving this designation up to your doctor. In our experience, this certification is often based on hormone therapy alone, or hormone therapy in combination with other treatment or surgery.

If you are in transition but have not yet begun hormone therapy, or your doctor does not feel comfortable certifying your transition, the Passport Agency offers a 2-year limited-validity passport reflecting a new gender. Your doctor will need to certify that you are “in the process of gender transition.” After applying for this transitional passport, you can later request a full validity passport without an additional fee within the 2-year duration of the limited validity passport. You will, however, need the physician’s certification of gender transition stating that you have had appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition.

You must apply for a gender marker change in person at any acceptance facility. Click here to find the facility nearest you. What documents will you need?

1) Proof of citizenship (such as your birth certificate)
2) Proof of identity, which must be in your new gender. Click here for instructions on how to change your gender marker on your Maryland-issued ID or driver’s license.
3) Two color passport photos (2” x 2”) reflecting your current appearance
4) Any applicable fees. . Click here to see a fee schedule.
5) Birth documentation reflecting your new gender (click here for instructions on how to change your gender marker on your Maryland-issued birth certificate) OR medical certification from your treating physician (click here for more information on what this certification must include and an example letter)

Note: If you are changing your gender marker on your passport without also changing your name, we strongly recommend that you specifically request a new passport, as the Passport Agency may simply apply a stamp over the old gender marker, which would make it apparent to anyone who saw your passport that your gender marker has changed.

You will need to update your information with Social Security before you can update your ID, learner’s permit, or driver’s license. We suggest you do this right away after getting your name changed by the court. You can do it in person or by mail.
You will need the following documents: (1) a completed Form SS-5, (2) certified copy of your name change decree from the court, (3) something that shows your identity (like a driver’s license or passport) – even if it still has your old name on it; (4) something that shows your citizenship (like birth certificate or a passport) – even if still has your old name on it.
The link to Social Security’s instructions about getting a new card is here (note that Social Security considers anyone over the age of 12 to be an “adult”):

 Changing your gender marker with Social Security
Your Social Security card doesn’t have your gender on it, but you should still change your gender with Social Security if you plan to change it other places. You do not need to have gotten a legal gender change to change your gender with Social Security. You can update your information in person or by mail.
You will need the following documents: (1) a completed Form SS-5, (2) a letter from a physician saying you are receiving clinical treatment (like hormones) OR a gender change decree from the court; (3) something that shows your identity (like a driver’s license or passport); (4) something that shows your citizenship (like birth certificate or a passport).
If your identity or citizenship documents do not have the same name (if you got your name legally changed, but did not update all of your documents) you might want to bring a copy of your name change decree as well.
Instructions for changing your gender with Social Security are here:

Changing your name with MVA

MVA requires that you change your name on your ID, learner’s permit, or driver’s license within 30 days of receiving your name change decree. However, you have to change your information with Social Security first. Requests should be made in person at an MVA office.

What documents will you need?

your current ID, learner’s permit, or driver’s license with your old name

a completed application for a new license, available at the MVA office

if you are under 18, you will need to bring a parent with you to sign the application.

You will also be charged about $20-$25 for the new card.

If you are applying for an ID, learner’s permit, or driver’s license for the first time, use the MVA’s document guide, available here, to determine what documents you will need to take with you.

You do not need a court order to change your gender marker on your ID/driver’s license/learner’s permit. If you want to change your gender marker, you can do it at the same time you are changing your name. (See additional instructions below.)

Changing your name on your Maryland birth certificate

The Maryland Division of Vital Statistics is in charge of changing birth certificates. Please note that Maryland Division of Vital Statistics will only change your name on your birth certificate if you have gotten a legal name change (an order from a court that says your gender has been changed.) Changing your name on your birth certificate can be done in person or by mail.

You will need the following documents:

letter requesting your birth certificate to be updated

something that identifies you (like a driver’s license or ID, or a copy of your old birth certificate)

Changing your gender marker on your Maryland birth certificate

Please note that Maryland Division of Vital Statistics will only change your gender marker on your birth certificate if you have gotten a legal gender change (an order from a court that says your gender has been changed.) Changing your gender on your birth certificate can be done in person or by mail.

You will need the following documents:

letter requesting your birth certificate to be updated

something that identifies you (like a driver’s license or ID, or a copy of your old birth certificate)

Currently, the law only requires the Division of Vital Statistics to issue an “amended” birth certificate for gender marker changes. This means that they may attach a sheet to your current birth certificate that shows your new gender identity.

Need Legal Help?

Contact FreeState Legal Project

Need Support?

Find your local PFLAG chapter

Disclaimer

***The information on this site is not meant to constitute legal advice or serve as a substitute for speaking with an attorney. The information provided is general. Every person’s situation is unique, and some of the information we supply on this site may apply differently for you. We strongly encourage you to contact us or another attorney if you have questions. When changing your identity documents, you may also wish to contact the agencies listed to verify that the information posted on this website, as agencies may change their procedures.***